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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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Year

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2 December 1864

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi has rooms in Winchester now and expects Helen to join him in a few weeks. the railroad is finished within four miles of WInchester. Written at Camp Russell

GLC08311.31

January 29, 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi's family arrived from Martinsburg. when the brigade was disbanded, Levi retained his two clerks and they were ordered to Beverly where all but a hundred were captured. does not know where they will go next.

GLC08311.32

January 31, 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes they may go to Savannah. describes the town of Cumberland. says there is not much to say but writes four pages.

GLC08311.33

February 5, 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

heard that Hannah Grant is married with a baby. the news that the president went to meet with the Rebel peace commissioners has everyone excited.

GLC08311.34

February 26, 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Sherman has been making another successful march in the South. tells her he has been in California since he last wrote. describes the town he is currently in.

GLC08311.35

18 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

General Grant is in the area. has a paper giving a full account of Sheridan's actions but has no way to send it right now. Written at City Point- now named Hopewell

GLC08311.36

20 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi left his trunk on boat of City Point. heard that Capt. Manville was relieved of duty but does not know who will succeed him. thinks hoops must be going out of style because his cousins aren't wearing them.

GLC08311.37

27 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

the enemy attacked the 9th and 2nd corp. describes the Comissary Quarters. believes that men can live more comfortably apart from women than women can by themselves.

GLC08311.38

31 March 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

had to sleep under a canvas instead of a tent one night. General Sheridan is operating with them with 25,000 cavalry. saw a black band that he enjoyed. the battle continues.

GLC08311.39

16 April 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

Levi was a prisoner for over 24 hours. tells this story and of his escape.describes the details of Lee's surrender.w rites that the government is enlisting and hiring many blacks in Richmond.

GLC08311.40

23 April 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes that it will be quite a while before they are discharged. describes the land and the weather. lists how many wagons and ambulances they have.

GLC08311.41

17 May 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

2 miles from Alexandria. describes the terrain. when they marched on Richmond, heard a citizen of Richmond say, "the whole North must be here..." Written in a camp near Alexandria.

GLC08311.42

1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Annis, Lida and Johnny

asks Annis to learn to write better than he can and to be careful with her eyes. intructs her to be grateful for her education. tells Lida and Johnny to play with chickens and horses.

GLC08311.43

21 May 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

describes the officers who wish to leave the service versus those who wish to remain. w rote in diary about having received money for bonds. lost his handkerchief in Richmond but bought another in Alexandria. Written in a camp near Alexandria.

GLC08311.44

1 June 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

discusses the possibility of moving, possibly out West when he is discharged. Written in a camp near Alexandria

GLC08311.45

4 June 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

tells the story of how they had a covering of evergreen brush put over the tents and it all fell and hit them because they were in too much of a hurry when they put the poles up. doesn't think he'll be home before September. Written in a camp near Alexandria

GLC08311.46

11 June 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to my dear wife

describes the decisions of Captains and Generals in his brigade. would like to go to Mount Vernon. saw a farm he is thinking of purchasing. Written in a camp near Alexandria.

GLC08311.47

21 June 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

tells her when to expect him. tells her to kill the flies before he comes homes. Written in a camp near Alexandria

GLC08311.48

30 June 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

is not sure he can get back in town as soon he expected because they are waiting for the Captain to get back.

GLC08311.49

8 July 1865

Wells, Edmund C., fl. 1864-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria

writes that it won't be less than 2 weeks or possibly longer before he comes home. expects the captain to be dismissed when the troops are mustered out.

GLC08311.50